The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Every morning I've got a new chance
I want to land the part of Eddie in The Stranger Dance
'Cause he gets to sword fight the duke
He kidnaps the queen
And you think the score's set but you can't truly see
Til you know the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
Til you know the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
Every morning I pull on them pants
Mmm but I don't get out so much since I acquired St. Vitus dance
I turn the news on a while
I practice my scene
You think things are straight but they're not what they seem
Til you know the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
In his coat and his boots and his blackheart machine
No, no one knows the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
Every morning I've got a new chance
I want to play the part of Eddie in The Stranger Dance
He makes love to the duke
He sword fights the queen
He steals the whole show in his last dying scene
No one sees the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
No, no one sees the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
No one sees the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
Mmm hmmm mmm hmm hmm hmm
I want to land the part of Eddie in The Stranger Dance
'Cause he gets to sword fight the duke
He kidnaps the queen
And you think the score's set but you can't truly see
Til you know the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
Til you know the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
Every morning I pull on them pants
Mmm but I don't get out so much since I acquired St. Vitus dance
I turn the news on a while
I practice my scene
You think things are straight but they're not what they seem
Til you know the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
In his coat and his boots and his blackheart machine
No, no one knows the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
Every morning I've got a new chance
I want to play the part of Eddie in The Stranger Dance
He makes love to the duke
He sword fights the queen
He steals the whole show in his last dying scene
No one sees the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
No, no one sees the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
No one sees the two sides of Monsieur Valentine
Mmm hmmm mmm hmm hmm hmm
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
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Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
So really no one thinks this is about star wars? Monsieur Valentine = Darth Vader? In his coat and his boats and his black heart machine???
@onemidsummersday I created an account just to comment on this... I thought the same thing. Plus, what if the line isn't Eddie's dance, but Annie's dance - as in Anakin. I can't believe we're the only people who have thought this! HA too funny!
Can anybody explain what "The Stranger Dance" is?
I love this song. It's been in my head for days.
i'm not sure about 'the stranger dance' but i do know that St Vitus' Dance is a term from germany in the middle ages given to 'mania for continuous dancing'.
britt's just staying in. dancing continuously. waita go.
First of all, "The Stranger Dance" does not actually exist.
This song is basically summarized by the line, "You think mthe score's set, but you can't truly see". The lyrics don't need to make total sense, because the point is that everything has two sides, and nothing is what you think it is. I love how surreal the words are, especially "He makes Love to the Duke/ He swordfights the Queen/ He steals the whole show with his last dying scene"
great song. one of my all time favourites
St. Vitrus Dance is a medical condition that Andy Warhol suffered from where your body goes into spasms that can be quite painful...in fact, Warhol was kept in the house with his mother for most of his childhood because of this condition--so maybe britt daniels is making an allusion to warhol? (fits with the surrealism and the evocation of gay love)
anyone seen the video? cross dressing for sure. this song is metaphorical, but it can certainly mean the double life of a cross dresser.
In the first and third verses, it seems pretty clear that he's talking about wanting to play a role in a play or a movie (I wanna land/play the part...). The character is named Eddie, the show is "The Stranger Dance" and the things he describes subsequently are the things about Eddie that make the narrator of the song want to play this part. The second verse is possibly a little less literal.
This song definitely has a cross dressing theme/undertone to it. What a lot of people don't realize is what a great stoner band spoon is. Definitely one of the best bands to listen to when you're on drugs. Try it
St.Vitus is the patron saint of diseases.